NSIM

Stories you may like

• Dental Hygienists

• Chiropractors

• Clinical psychologists

• Health Service Managers

• Nutritionists

Child psychotherapists work with children who are affected by issues such as depression, aggression, phobias, anxiety, physical/psychosomatic disorders, learning difficulties and behavioural problems. They lead sessions with individuals, groups and/or families where verbal interaction, toys, puppets, dolls, art materials and so on are used to explore the child’s behaviour, attitudes and emotions. Their aim is to help children understand and address their inner conflicts. Typical activities include:

• liaising with professionals such as teachers, psychiatrists, psychologists, paediatric nurses, social workers, family therapists and health visitors

• supervising trainees

• keeping up-to-date with developments within the profession by attending appropriate courses, conferences and meetings

Qualifications and training required

A Honours degree or equivalent, prospective child psychotherapists must also complete a course of observational psychoanalytic studies leading to a postgraduate diploma, MA or equivalent. They will need substantial experience of working with children and adolescents, which could have been gained through working in health, education or social care.

The next stage is clinical training, which covers both theory and practice and usually takes four years. It is also essential to undertake personal analysis, either in the pre-clinical training phase or as part of clinical training. Child psychotherapy is not normally a first career choice. Many people enter the profession later in life, having already been employed in a similar field.

Key skills for child psychotherapists

• Listening skills

• Observation

• Sensitivity and empathy

• Sincerity

• Discretion

• Ability to build rapport

• Positive outlook

• Excellent communication skills

• Resilience and maturity

• Capacity for study and continued learning

• Ability to work independently or with others

Typical employers of child psychotherapists

• Hospitals

• Primary and secondary schools

• Social services